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Northcoders Group PLC provides maiden trading update

Digital
Tech

Sam Whitear

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31/08/2021

Northcoders Group PLC provides maiden trading update

Northcoders, the Manchester and Leeds-based independent provider of training programmes for software coding, has provided its maiden trading update following its admission to AIM on 27 July 2021.

Northcoders has delivered a strong performance in the first eight months of the financial year to August 2021 (‘the Period’). The Group is trading comfortably in line with management expectations in terms of both revenue and underlying profitability. At the end of August, contracted revenue for the current financial year was approximately 90% of the target revenue for the year. In addition, cashflow has benefitted from the additional course funding available from the Group’s contract under the Department for Education’s Lifetime Skills Guarantees and Plan for Jobs initiative secured in July 2021.

Consumer demand for the Group’s core Bootcamp courses is growing strongly. Applications from individuals have been boosted as the UK moves away from the Covid pandemic, as more individuals look to change their careers. This is reflected in the Period, as applications reach 162% of that experienced in the full year in 2019 (the most recent comparable period). With the benefit of increased marketing spend following the fundraise at IPO, the Board expects this growth in demand to continue as Northcoders continues to expand its list of hiring partners.

The national reach of Northcoders is expanding considerably, with the Group’s Apprenticeship division achieving contracts across the UK, from regions as far south as Plymouth and as far north as Darlington and Penrith, Cumbria. The Group plans further investment into its apprenticeships offering and is aiming to launch new technology products in Q1 2022 which will diversify apprenticeship revenue streams from the Group’s existing core coding and software focused programmes.

Northcoders’ corporate Solutions division continues to attract new business with revenue for the year to date ahead of the 2020 full year revenue. Solutions contracts include bespoke training and software development contracts with Stockport-based Digital Applications Limited, the independent IT solution delivery company, and with NHS Digital. The Board is also pleased that work with Ove Arup & Partners, the global professional services firm, continues for the third consecutive year.

The Group will release its half-year results for the six months ended 30 June 2021 on Tuesday, 28 September 2021.

MERCEDES-BENZ OF STOCKPORT CELEBRATES OUTSTANDING SECOND YEAR

Sam Whitear

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27/08/2021

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MERCEDES-BENZ OF STOCKPORT CELEBRATES OUTSTANDING SECOND YEAR

LSH Auto is celebrating a remarkable second year of trading at its flagship site, Mercedes-Benz of Stockport, despite the challenges of the last 18 months.

The state-of-the-art, purpose built, three storey facility launched in August 2019 and has become the most popular Mercedes-Benz destination in the North West, attracting an unprecedented number of new customers and sales leads.

Over the last 12 months, the business has grown new car sales by more than 47% and used car sales by 72%, despite the UK lockdowns.

Martyn Webb, Managing Director of LSH Auto, said: “Mercedes-Benz of Stockport has had a fantastic first two years of trading. I’m proud of our team who have worked incredibly hard to overcome the challenges of the global pandemic over the past 18 months. Our ongoing commitment to delivering the best possible service to our customers has put us in good shape and we’re looking forward to continuing to grow the business into 2022.”

Stefan Bowett, became the new Dealer Principal of Mercedes-Benz of Stockport in November 2020, having previously led LSH Auto’s Whitefield operation. The new Dealer Principal already has an affinity with the area, having worked at the old Mercedes-Benz of Stockport site from 2013 to 2018 as a used car sales manager, new car sales manager and general sales manager.

Stefan said: “I jumped at the chance to lead the team in Stockport and return to where I initially built my career. Mercedes-Benz of Stockport is now our flagship site attracting more customers than could have been imagined.”

Mercedes-Benz of Stockport has two buildings at the flagship site. Its 13,492sqm showroom – the Autohaus is a retail space for new and used cars and is also home to an aftersales facility with 30 workshops and two MOT testing bays. The 17,166sqm purpose-built high-tech Body, Paint and Repair Centre operates as LSH Auto UK’s regional Used Car Preparation Facility and Parts Distribution Centre.

Stefan continues: “In addition to the sales growth that we’ve achieved this year, our aftersales team have delivered significant growth and our high-tech body, paint and repair centre has continued to support customers in getting their vehicles back on the road and looking as good as new.”

In 2019, LSH Auto launched a full digital platform to enable customers to browse online, book a solo test drive from their home, buy online and choose either click and collect or home delivery. The service has been incredibly popular and the LSH Auto customer experience team have helped thousands of customers over the phone or via online chat and emails over the past 12 months.

Martyn Webb concludes: “Mercedes-Benz of Stockport has set a new standard in the UK luxury vehicle retail industry by responding to our customers’ desires and needs. We’re constantly looking for new ways to improve our service and we’re grateful for the continued support that we receive from our customers.”

SHARKS SIGN UP MANCHESTER LENDING SPECIALISTS ROMA

Partnerships

Sam Whitear

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26/08/2021

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Sale Sharks are delighted to announce a new partnership with Manchester-based Roma Finance which will see the property lending specialist’s logo displayed on the back of the club’s kits for the 2021/22 season.

The distinctive Roma branding will appear above the players’ numbers on the club’s new Macron kit when the Sharks players take the field for their first fixture of the new campaign against Bath Rugby on September 18.

Sharks CEO Sid Sutton said: “Roma Finance is a perfect fit for us and we’re thrilled to welcome Scott and the team to the Sharks family.

“It’s a growing business with community and its customers at the heart of everything it does, in the same way that our supporters are central to everything we do at Sale Sharks.

“We’re at the start of an extremely exciting journey for the club both on and off the pitch and we couldn’t be happier to welcome a partner that matches our ambition and our values.”

Roma Finance is a property lender focused on bridging, development and buy-to-let finance, for residential and commercial properties, operating throughout England, Wales and Scotland.

Scott Marshall, managing director of Roma Finance, said: “Sponsoring Sharks is a watershed moment for Roma.

“Sale Sharks’ values are very closely aligned with our own and I am genuinely excited about the future of this young partnership. As a successful team, Sharks are entering an exciting new era and we as a business are thrilled to be on this journey. We are looking forward to a fantastic season.

“Roma is a lender less ordinary. We’re successful as we are entirely focussed on creating wealth for customers through property investment and development.

“Working in collaboration with our partners we remain agile and enthusiastic, we continue to learn and have a winning formula that delivers real results.”

DECORRUM APPOINTS THE LOWEDOWN TO MANAGE ITS PR LAUNCH

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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26/08/2021

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DECORRUM APPOINTS THE LOWEDOWN TO MANAGE ITS PR LAUNCH

Manchester rum brand Decorrum has appointed The Lowedown to manage its creative PR launch and always-on press office.

The PR consultancy has been tasked to support with its B2B and B2C media outreach. The three-month project will consist of a ‘big bang’ launch aimed at building brand awareness among the drinks trade as well as getting the product on the radar of consumers in the North-West.
Founder of The Lowedown, Emma Holgate-Lowe, said: “This is such an exciting win for our business. Decorrum is a stylish and disruptive brand looking to launch with a bang and leave a lasting impression on Manchester’s media. The project is a really creative and can’t wait to have fun with it.”

Based in Didsbury, South Manchester, The Lowedown launched in January 2020 and specialises in unique storytelling, press office media relations and media training.
Building a portfolio of food and drink clients, last month The Lowedown signed a second PR launch project with Cumbria’s free-from bakeries ‘We Love Cake’ and ‘Bells & Whistles’. Current clients also include SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO and The Flava People.

Reflecting on the last 18 months in business, Emma added: “It has been a changeable period for lifestyle media but independent brands, now more than ever, remain relevant and are getting media cut through. PR is a great tool for giving businesses like Decorrum a voice post pandemic, helping to support boutique products to grow as we head towards Christmas in the new normal.”

Emma Holgate-Lowe is a former showbusiness journalist for the Daily Mail and a news and features reporter for SWNS. Since transitioning into PR, Emma held the position of media specialist for Kellogg’s UK and Ireland in its MediaCityUK office.

PM+M’s Bury office celebrates fifth birthday

Finance

Sam Whitear

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25/08/2021

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PM+M’s Bury office celebrates fifth birthday

The Bury office of PM+M, the chartered accountancy, business advisory and wealth management group, is celebrating its fifth birthday this week after opening its doors on the Waterfold Business Park in August 2016.

Over the past five years, the office – which is headed up by partner Helen Clayton – has gone from strength to strength. When it opened, it had a team of five which has now grown to eleven. PM+M offers local businesses and individuals a range of services including audit and accountancy, tax, corporate finance, wealth management, cloud accounting and payroll advice.

Since its inception, the team has hit various milestones and launched a number of initiatives including jointly establishing a successful networking event for senior business leaders in Bury with Clough & Willis and Handelsbanken in 2017, becoming corporate members at The Met, undertaking numerous fundraising activities for Bury Hospice and winning The Made in Bury Business Awards for Professional, Legal and Financial firms three times between 2017 and 2020.

It has also attracted a number of high profile new hires who have added their expertise including Luqmaan Essa, who joined as a director in the accounting and advisory team earlier this year, and Wendy Anderson who was appointed as a director in the private client tax team in 2018.

The business has also been recognised for investing in its team after being named a finalist for two years running in The Made in Bury Business Awards for Excellence in Developing People, and being shortlisted in last year’s Gold Employer of the Year (50 – 249 employees) category in The Investors in People 2020 Awards.

Helen Clayton said: “Opening an office in Bury was a daunting challenge but one that we have grabbed with both hands. I am local so have a real passion for the town, its wider business community, and people. The team at PM+M is fabulous and the firm’s values and culture shine through our client relationships and the way we work, which I believe has set us apart.

Helen added: “Bury boasts some amazing talent and a real entrepreneurial spirit so it’s an exciting time to be doing business here. Being part of Bury’s evolution and working closely with our clients, contacts and referrers is what drives us forward. The last five years have been phenomenal and I’m confident and excited that we will continue to go from strength over the next five and beyond.”

GCHQ and HOST launch ground-breaking innovation programme to help North West businesses develop cutting-edge technologies

Business support

Sam Whitear

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25/08/2021

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GCHQ and HOST launch ground-breaking innovation programme to help North West businesses develop cutting-edge technologies

GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence and cyber agency, is looking for five ambitious businesses to join its pioneering innovation programme to apply trailblazing technologies to national security challenges.

The GCHQ Innovation Co-Lab, developed in partnership with HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology, is aimed at UK-based digital companies or a consortium of companies with innovative approaches to technology and analytics, or a vision to reach alternative markets for their products or service.

Businesses can apply to take part in specific challenges as part of the Co-Lab. These include:

Dealing with uncertainty: Products and services which utilise open-source information to help people make sense of current events and plan for the future; and
Re-imagining morse code: Technology that will help improve automated translation and transcriptions, supported by advances in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – re-thinking traditional morse code technology for the future.
Another challenge is a wild card option, where businesses will have the rare opportunity to showcase to GCHQ an innovative and unique approach to technology that helps shape the future for the better.

While applications are open to all, they are particularly welcome from entrepreneurs in the North West, who are from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

Kate, GCHQ, Head of Research and Engineering in Manchester, said: “We’re excited to be collaborating with the thriving technology ecosystem in Greater Manchester, connecting diverse entrepreneurs and creative technologists with the mission of GCHQ to bring fresh perspectives to our challenges.”

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4.0 Group, operator of HOST, said: “As a dedicated innovation partner of GCHQ, we are privileged to continue to support founders with this specialist programme, ensuring innovation is inclusive and accessible for businesses and individuals across the region and the UK.

“The Co-Lab offers emerging technology businesses access to technologists and innovators from GCHQ as well as valuable innovation and business growth support from the HOST community and its industry partners.”

The programme will be delivered in a hybrid style, both in-person and virtually over five months with companies benefitting from collaboration with technologists and innovators from GCHQ and invaluable mentoring from innovation hub HOST and its investor networks.

This follows two previously successful innovation programmes that involved participants such as Bellrock Technology, which was included in the G-Cloud 12 framework as a data analytics supplier for the UK government. As well as Journey Protector, a developer of technology that helps prevent cargo theft and human trafficking in the logistics industry, led by CEO Anne Lawlor, which has secured significant funding since completing the programme.

The deadline for applications is 13 September, with successful applicants being announced by the end of October, and the programme beginning in November. For further information, visit: https://www.hostsalford.com/programmes/the-gchq-innovation-co-lab-2021/

This programme does not offer a specific solution or product validation, or cyber security solution expertise or validation. We encourage applications to the NCSC-led NCSC for Startups for companies looking to gain traction in the cyber security sector or seeking cyber security expertise.

Unity Trust Bank helps fund unique homeless project in Greater Manchester

CSR

Sam Whitear

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25/08/2021

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Unity Trust Bank helps fund unique homeless project in Greater Manchester

TWO entrepreneurs who joined forces to find a new way of addressing homelessness in the UK are turning a Victorian villa in Tameside into 13 self-contained apartments, thanks to a six-figure funding package from Unity Trust Bank.

Richard Kennedy and David Ball, co-founders of social enterprise Cornerstone Place, will oversee the £440,000 development in Audenshaw before handing it over to homeless charity Stepping Stone Projects to manage.

Richard, whose background is in social enterprise and David, who worked in property development, set up Cornerstone Place in 2019 to source properties for charities, secure funding and develop them, and then share the net revenue so that the charity can eventually buy the building outright.

Andy Ledger, relationship manager at Unity Trust Bank, said: “We only lend to organisations that help create a better society. Homelessness in the UK is expected to rise as we move out of the pandemic and we’re delighted to support this project which will provide accommodation and support for vulnerable people in Greater Manchester.”

Richard said: “We chose Unity because they have a heart for this sector, for impact and social business.

“Unity have been absolutely brilliant; very tenacious and flexible. They have worked with us throughout and were instrumental in making this project happen. We couldn’t have asked for more support.”

Capital for the Audenshaw project was also provided by The Key Fund and Power to Change. When the property is renovated, SSP will work with Ashton Pioneer Homes and Tameside Council to provide tenant support services.

David added: “A member of my family spent a lot of time on the streets so this has personal resonance for me, and Richard has the social sector running through his veins.

“Our business model is a way to empower, strengthen and increase the sustainability of homeless charities. Our ambition is to provide 1,000 rooms over the next five years.”

Altrincham’s iconic office building secures new occupier

Property

Sam Whitear

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25/08/2021

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Altrincham’s iconic office building secures new occupier

Altrincham’s landmark building at 1-5 The Downs is retaining its popularity as one of the town’s office venues of choice.

Touch Ltd has just moved into Suite 4, on the first floor at 1 The Downs having agreed a three year lease on the 600 sq ft office accommodation.

The firm provides lead generation services & training to law firms to help them successfully run claims in all areas of financial irregularities, including Plevin PPI, Secret commission and Motor finance Claims.

Rodney Gardner, chairman, Touch Ltd, said:

“We were looking to relocate from Hale village and this iconic building in the centre of Altrincham certainly met our criteria in terms of space along with all the essentials and leisure amenities on our doorstep. The ideal location from which to continue our expansion which has seen our team grow to 11 in recent months and will allow us to meet our goal of 20 by the end of 2021”.

Daniel Lee, managing director, Regional Property Solutions, responsible for the management and letting of the building on behalf of the landlord TELL Holdings, said:

“Any available office space in this building lets very quickly and this was no exception and it is fully let”.

Qualities that make a good leader

Thought Leaders

Sam Whitear

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24/08/2021

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Great leaders possess certain skills that are essential when it comes to leadership. Team members want someone who can not only lead, but who they can trust with day-to-day activities. They also want someone who shows empathy and can understand the people who work for them.

It can sometimes be difficult for businesses to find the right leader, especially when faced with situations such as re-structuring. In instances like this, interim management solutions can help companies with their biggest challenges.

Here are some key qualities to look out for in a potential team leader.

Communication

The ability to communicate across a broad range of levels and to a variety of people is paramount to being a good leader. Successful leaders will need to communicate with colleagues at various departmental levels as well as with their own team.

Good leaders will also be able to relay information effectively and through the right channels. The ability to listen to others, particularly team members, is an important skill. The team will look to the leader to understand and represent them.

Honesty

Team members value honesty in a leader. They want a leader they can trust and who they feel they can rely on.

Losing respect for a manager can result in less motivation and an unwillingness to cooperate, therefore gaining respect is of great importance.

Trusting a leader means team members are more likely to speak up about any issue before it begins to cause real problems. It also goes a long way in protecting the mental health of colleagues in the workplace.

Influence

The quality of being a good influencer is sometimes perceived as a negative trait. However, being able to convince others and explain information in a logical way is an essential skill of a leader.

Linked closely with honesty, leaders will have gained trust from their team members to enable them to be a successful influencer.

Self-confidence

No team leader can expect to coach a team if they lack confidence themselves. Owning your sense of self and belief shows them you can be trusted.

It is very reassuring for a team to be led by someone who is confident in what they say and how they approach others.

Resilience

Giving up at the first hurdle will not give a team much faith in their leader. Good leaders need to show resilience to be a good example.

When faced with new challenges, good leaders embrace new skills and knowledge and pass these on to team members. This teaches them to have faith and trust in themselves and their work.

Every successful leader will have different ways of approaching challenges. The important thing is that they use their key qualities in positive ways when coaching a team.

Report calls for further investment to protect the North’s creative industries

Sam Whitear

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24/08/2021

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Report calls for further investment to protect the North’s creative industries

Download the report here https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/creative-industries-report.

National funding for the North’s creative industries has been a “good start, but it is not enough”, according to a new report by The Growth Company.

The organisation has issued its first report examining the future of the creative economy in the North of England, with a focus on Greater Manchester.

While the report praises the resilience and innovation of the sector throughout the pandemic, it highlights the challenges ahead –and what a lack of investment in the creative industries would mean for Greater Manchester’s creative sector SMEs and wider business ecosystem.

According to the Creative UK Group, the North West of England’s creative sector alone has lost £900m and seen a 13.2 per cent decline in gross value added (GVA) due to the pandemic.

The North West has the highest creative cluster outside of London, with Greater Manchester home to 19,000 digital, creative and tech companies.

The report includes research from the successful Creative Leaders Festival, which took place for the second consecutive year in May, attracting more than 600 registrations from creative businesses in the North.

More than 30 industry leaders with links to high-profile trade bodies and associations, including Creative England, Channel 4 and the Northern Ballet, have contributed their insights.

The report focusses on six[1] creative subsectors, highlighting challenges to overcome such as diversity and digital confidence and opportunities for growth.

MediaCityUK, in Salford, is identified as “having the potential to accelerate the region’s recovery”, boosted by the BBC’s recent announcement to increase the number of staff beyond 3,500.

GC Business Growth Hub, part of The Growth Company, also runs two successful programmes specifically for the creative industries sector –Creative Scale-Up and Creative Accelerator, funded by the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport and delivered on behalf of Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The programmes have helped hundreds of companies to grow and gain investment, and without further funding could cease once registration for the latest rounds are full.

Since completing the Creative Scale-Up programme, streaming video platform company Paus has secured more than £1m of investment and showcases more than 2,000 filmmakers worldwide.

The Hub has also pledged its support for the Creative UK Group’s #WeareCreative campaign, which encourages creative people and businesses to lobby MPs and government officials on social media.

Head of Digital, Creative and Tech Sector Support at the Hub, Sarah Novotny, said:“Greater Manchester and the North of England’s creative industries are world class and prior to the pandemic the industries were growing four times faster than the rest of the economy.

“We want to continue to support the creative sector and keep running our highly successful business support programmes. But we can’t do this without continued investment.

“The past year has been incredibly challenging but our region is known for its resilience, diversity and creativity.

“These traits will not only be the basis of our recovery but will also be the foundation of establishing our creative sector businesses as global thought leaders.

“It has been a privilege to help the creative sector adapt, collaborate and innovate and we hope we will be able to continue this support.”

The report is available to download from: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/creative-industries-report.

Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit www.businessgrowthhub.com for more information about the organisation’s extensive range of services.

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